Compositions and methods for regulating body weight and metabolic syndromes

Abstract

A composition comprising an active agent that inhibits acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) is provided. With the composition, food intake can be suppressed, and/or body weight can be reduced, and/or metabolic disorders can be prevented and/or treated.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for suppressing food intake of an obese subject, the method comprising parenterally administering to the obese subject in need of the suppression of food intake a composition comprising an effective amount of avasimibe that non-selectively inhibits in vivo both acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterl acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) and acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 2 (ACAT2), wherein the degree that the avasimibe inhibits ACAT1 is less than the degree that the avasimibe inhibits ACAT2. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount is in the range of about 0.01 mg/kg/day to about 200 mg/kg/day. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, or intraperitoneally. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the avasimibe improves a diabetic condition of the subject. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject administered with the avasimibe has a decreased level of free cholesterol, cholesteryl esters (CE), triglyceride (TG), or any combination thereof compared to a subject having a high fat diet without the avasimibe administration. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the avasimibe reduces a body weight of the subject. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered intranasally or intracerebrally.